Review by: Bluesbunny
We like first releases at Bluesbunny Towers. There is a certain innocence to first releases. Budget - or lack of it - might get in the way, of course, but you generally get the closest you will ever get to a band's natural sound. "5 Days in Orbit" from Seattle based band Minor Broadcast is a very respectable example of this.
Scott Steele takes a lot of the load on himself handling vocal duties along with guitar, bass and harmonica. That is a lot of responsibility but he can handle it. Ably supported by Jason Jacobs on drums and Ciri Ryan on backing vocals, the garage sound gets updated for the 21st century. It also has to be said that the lyrical exploits of this band show a notable literacy throughout this album. Almost psychedelic at times ("As the Last Tune Folds") words get used properly here. These are indeed lyrics worth listening too with plenty of space for interpretation. They make bands like Green Day seem shallow but they can still crank out the grunge with the best of them ("The Circle of Things"). "Bipolar Episodes" is pretty much a walk on the wild side whilst "Noise Whip Dream" is a race up the freeway of life. Stylistically, this band refuse to be tied down with the closing track "A Crow" feeling more like a detour down a quiet country road than anything else.
There is a good fresh feel to these recordings. Note that - its not stale, its not past its sell by date like so much music these days, it's fresh and Minor Broadcast do sound like a band that likes doing what they are doing and would do it regardless of the possibility for fame and fortune. It isn't perfect but if you like spotting bands with the potential to cross over to greater things (and we do) then it would certainly be worth your time (and money) to take a listen to this album. Certainly a thumbs up from this reviewer anyway. Available from CD Baby.
Review by: Music-Reviewer.com
Bands operating out of the Northwest hold a special place in my heart. Oregon and Washington are home to some of my favorite indie acts, and the Seattle area is the birthplace of grunge. Seattle based Minor Broadcast instantly grabbed my attention with some interesting samples on their website, where they promote themselves as a sort of experimental rock and roll band. When a band decides to give itself the title of “experimental” there is a good chance that disappointment is in your future, and it is necessary to go into such a thing with reserved anticipation, so the fall from your high hopes isn’t too far. However, when it comes to the debut 5 Days in Orbit it’s evident that these guys are for real, breeding a fresh indie rock with the nostalgic flavors of grunge and classic rock.
The album starts off strong with a handful of songs that best illustrate Minor Broadcast’s penchant for floating between restrained rock and chaotic noise. The band always feels in control of the music here, with Scott Steele doing much of the work himself. Steele plays guitar, bass, and lead vocals on this album, and while he may not be a master of any one thing, he definitely knows what he wants to do and executes it well. The Switches and The Circle of Things are great examples of the band’s unique sound. Both have a psychedelic classic rock element weaving through them, and you will at times be reminded of some of the great classic rock acts of decades past. The band isn’t content to stop there, though, and you shouldn’t be surprised to hear some dirty grunge undertones throughout this indie hybrid.
The more somber moments include the interesting Ghost of Golden Skin and the Southern tinged A Crow. Each song on 5 Days in Orbit is further proof of the band’s versatility. It is not the most accessible album, however, and many listeners may be turned off by interesting lyrics that border on the intellectual. I loved the lyrics, but Steele’s voice may exacerbate the problem for some. He is usually spot on, but occasionally he seems to lose focus and starts to whine in a way that can easily irritate.
Regardless of the flaws found on the album, this is a fresh and unique debut in a market that always seems a little too bloated. Minor Broadcast has struck a chord that should resonate with any fans of good old rock and roll, and I look forward to seeing what is in store for this band, because they have some chops which shouldn’t be ignored.
